As these charts show, the issue is close to those readers' hearts. Globally, 80 percent of readers said they had received a data-roaming bill that they thought to be excessive. Even with European readers, who benefit from slightly lower rates within the continent, 77 percent thought they had been charged too much.

Data-roaming bills in UK

British respondents to the survey said they had received some very costly bills.

Although the largest proportion said their highest data-roaming bill came to less than £50, around 100 said their most expensive bill was between £50-£200, and 67 had a bill that was in excess of £200.

The highest monthly charge quoted by a UK reader was an eye-watering £2,400.

Data-roaming rates

Within Europe, most Brits appear to pay £4 or less per megabyte. Outside the EU, the majority get charged between £6 and £8 per megabyte. However, these figures come only from readers who know how much their operators charged: a little more than half of those surveyed had no idea what the rates are.

Data-roaming charges with tablets

As people increasingly try to take internet-connected devices abroad with them, the issue of data-roaming prices is clearly seen as crucial.

Globally and in the UK, 81 percent of respondents thought the issue was "important" or "very important". However, data-roaming pricing levels appear to be most keenly felt by Asian and American readers.

The reality of data-roaming pricing

ZDNet UK takes a look at what our readers tell us they are paying to use data abroad, per megabyte and per month, and how they feel about those costs

Read More

Data-roaming charges with tablets

As people increasingly try to take internet-connected devices abroad with them, the issue of data-roaming prices is clearly seen as crucial.

Globally and in the UK, 81 percent of respondents thought the issue was "important" or "very important". However, data-roaming pricing levels appear to be most keenly felt by Asian and American readers.